Cygnus (constellation)

constellation

Cygnus is a constellation in the northern sky. Cygnus means "swan" in Greek.[1] There is a pattern of stars in Cygnus that is called the Northern Cross. This is because the pattern of stars looks like a cross. The constellation Crux (constellation) has a pattern of stars that is called the Southern Cross. The astronomer Ptolemy listed Cygnus in the 2nd century when he made a list of constellations.

Cygnus
Constellation
Cygnus
AbbreviationCyg
GenitiveCygni
Pronunciation/ˈsɪɡnəs/, genitive /ˈsɪɡn/
Symbolismswan,
The Northern Cross
Right ascension20.62 h
Declination+42.03
QuadrantNQ4
Area804 sq. deg. (16th)
Main stars9
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
84
Stars with planets57
Stars brighter than 3.00m4
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)1
Brightest starDeneb (α Cyg) (1.25m)
Messier objects2
Meteor showersOctober Cygnids
Kappa Cygnids
Bordering
constellations
Cepheus
Draco
Lyra
Vulpecula
Pegasus
Lacerta
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of September.
Cygnus Constellation chart

Deep-sky objects

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Famous stars

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References

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  1. "Cygnus (swan) also (modern) Northern Cross". Harvard. Retrieved 27 January 2013.